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Reina refuses to shoulder blame for poor Liverpool results

Pepe Reina has insisted that he is not to blame for Liverpool’s failure in big games this season, despite his error costing the Reds against Manchester City on Sunday.

The Spaniard insists he is not concerned by his form, although the Anfield club have been linked with a name of other goalkeeping options, with Brendan Rodgers reportedly happy to sell Reina to Arsenal amid interest from the Emirates Stadium.

Liverpool are currently nine points off the top four, but have failed to win a game against any top-half side this season, and Reina admits the Reds cannot compete with the Premier League’s top sides.

“I think with the likes of City, United and Chelsea, they have a big edge over us at the moment, both financially and squad-wise,” he told Marca.

“There’s a reason they are so many points ahead of us, and it’s not because of one or two better players. Right now we can’t compete with the big guns.

“Some people say I’ve had a bad season, but honestly I think I only had three poor matches, at the beginning of the year.

“It’s been a strange season for me because I’ve missed lots of games with injury. This has been the most unsettled season, both personally and as a team, since I joined the club.

“Liverpool is going through a transitional period, with new ideas and a different playing philosophy. That takes time. People have to be patient. It’s normal for us to be erratic.”

As well as interest from Arsenal, Reina has also been mentioned as a replacement for Victor Valdes, who is set to leave Barcelona ahead of his contract expiring in 2014, but the 30-year-old is not interested in such rumours.

“I have a Liverpool contract and I’m only thinking of playing for the club – I am calm,” he explained.

“My dad has a past with Barca, he has affection for the club and perhaps that’s why he said it. He wants the best for me. But I have a contract here and I have nothing else to say this.

“For me, Barca is the best in the world, for greatness and for style … and Atletico are starting to equip themselves well, with a great coach. They are two great clubs. They are the two clubs where my father played and two great teams.”